Latest revision as of 19:43, 20 August 2013

Dock Woods Community (first known as Eastern Mennonite Convalescent Home, and later Hatfield Mennonite Home) was an institution established by the Franconia Mennonite Conference (Mennonite Church) in 1942. A board of seven brethren from the churches in the Franconia Conference District were appointed by the bishops to serve as trustees. A charter for the institution was granted 14 December 1942. The first buildings were beautifully located on Highway 309 near Hatfield, Pennsylvania, with accommodations for 16 patients. In the rear of the main buildings was a separate building, the first floor of which is used for a laundry and garage and the second floor for the workers' rooms when they are not on duty.

Although established for the care of members of the Mennonite Church, a majority of the guests have been non-Mennonites. In the 1950s Sunday school was held every Sunday morning and a worship service every two weeks. A midweek song service was held every two weeks. Devotions were conducted every morning. The nurses read the Scripture once every week to those who are unable to read. M. K. Kerr and his wife served in 1953 as steward and matron.

In 2007 Dock Woods was situated on two campuses, the 8.5 acre Dock Meadows campus near Hatfield, and a 107-acre Towamencin campus adjacent to Christopher Dock Mennonite High School. Dock Woods provided independent apartment living, assisted living, nursing care, memory support and family housing for persons qualified for subsidized housing.